Part 2
2.1
From the feedback of tutors and other students in teaching practice, I would highlight three major areas that I would like to improve in my own teaching, and some areas with which I am pleased.
Strengths
1.I suppose I am quite good at drilling . I use a variety of techniques (gestures, tapping,beating stress etc.)
2.I feel confident using questions for eliciting the meaning.
3.I am relatively happy with my interaction with students, and my manner in the classroom . I believe that every student should be encouraged and praised by the teacher
Weaknesses.
1Giving clearer instructions- despite the fact that I usually write down the instructions when I plan my lessons, not all of them are clear to my students. At times learners seem to be confused and do not know exactly what they have to do.
2Prioritizing the activities in order to achieve the main aims- I often give much time for the presentation stage and a never have enough time for Freer practice.
3.I also need to reduce TTT and increase STT. It is important to make lessons more learner-centered.
2.2
1.Observing the lessons of experienced teachers and my colleagues I could notice how good some of them were at giving clear instructions.
For example,Olena Lysitsa said : “Students A - make a line facing the clock and students B - make a line facing the board . “Students were not confused and knew exactly what to do. A teacher (from the video lesson) gave very short instructions and used only imperative sentences without “And now we are going to or what you have to do is…). She said :”Rewrite the sentences as questions. Check the answers with your partner.”
Teachers also graded the language of the instructions to make them comprehensible. A teacher from the video lesson) said to her students beginners: , "Listen to my description of a famous person. Who is it? and they could understand it .And, it would have been inappropriate to say "You're going to hear a description of a famous person and you have to guess who it is.”(it could be suitable only for intermediate learners)
Experienced teachers also took into consideration the speed of their speech - they slowed down slightly if necessary and inserted pauses to allow students to take in each piece of information before they went on to the next questions. While giving instructions they maintained eye contact with the learners and made sure that everyone listened to them.
Using all the techniques mentioned above such as using short imperative sentences ,graded language and maintaining eye contact for giving instructions helped to achieve Students ‘ understanding of the task , saved a lot of time and eliminated the need to explain the task again.
2.3
My action plan
|
Area to work on |
Action plan |
|
1. GIVING CLEARER INSTRUCTIONS |
A. I will write down my instructions in my lesson plans for my next beginner course
B. I will observe the lessons of 2 different colleagues and learn more about instruction giving techniques and see what instructions are the most effective in the classroom . |
|
2.PREORITIZING ACTIVITIES |
A. I will read chapter 6 on lesson planning in “ Learning Teaching “ by Jim Scrivener
B. I will observe the lessons of 2 different colleagues and learn more about the ways of prioritizing activities c. I will plan more carefully giving more time for the F. P activities |
|
3.Reducing TTT |
A .At the lessons I will include more tasks for pair work and group work, I will try to show the activities rather than explain them and have students ask me questions B I will record some of my lessons C I will read “ Techniques to reduce Teacher talk time “ by Ivan Senisse ETECS 2011(http://terborg.typepad.com/files/techniques-reducing-ttt.pdf) |
Bibliography
1.Learning Teaching . Jim Scrivener , Macmillan
2. Ivan Senisse ETECS 2011(http://terborg.typepad.com/files/techniques-reducing-ttt.pdf)